The man alleged to have stabbed two young women during an attack at the Australian National University on Monday has not applied for bail and will remain behind bars after being charged with attempted murder.
Alex Ophel, 24, appeared briefly before the ACT magistrates court, wearing a grey tracksuit and white thongs, one day after he allegedly stabbed two 20-year-old women on the ANU campus, leaving one with critical injuries.
Lawyer Tim Sharman said he was struggling to get instructions from his client on whether to apply for bail and was unsure whether Ophel was capable of giving instructions, referring to prior court findings about his mental capacity.
“I’m not at all confident that he has the ability to give instructions,” he said.
Sharman returned to the court and said no application for bail would be made. He said his client understood this meant he would be sent to the Alexander Maconochie Centre, the ACT’s jail, while his matter was before the courts.
Sharman asked that a mental health assessment, conducted ahead of Monday’s court appearance, be given to prison authorities.
Prosecutors had earlier indicated they would oppose bail, should Ophel have applied for release.
In a statement on Tuesday morning, police alleged the man initially attacked a male student with a frying pan. The victim fled from the scene before Ophel then allegedly stabbed a 20-year-old female student multiple times, before allegedly chasing a second woman and stabbing her too.
The first woman was in a serious but stable condition on Tuesday morning, downgraded from critical the night before. The second was in a stable condition, according to the statement.
The 24-year-old also allegedly punched another male student in the face.
Police have charged Ophel with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of common assault, and with possessing a knife with intent to kill.
“Attending police were directed by witnesses to the location of the 24-year-old man and he was taken into custody,” the police statement said.
“No motive for the incident has been identified and police do not believe the victims knew the offender.”
ACT Policing acting Det Supt Stephanie Leonard said on Tuesday the attack had caused understandable concern in the community.
“Obviously any violent offence is concerning. ANU and Canberra are usually very safe places, incidents like this are extremely rare,” she said. “So I would encourage anyone who was troubled by these incidents to reach out to the support services available at ANU.”
Leonard said the alleged offender’s mental health status was currently “the subject of a police investigation”.
She said the man’s movements prior to the attack were still the subject of an investigation and police had been “unable to establish a motive”.
“How the man came to be on the streets is currently the subject of a police investigation.”
Leonard said the attacks had occurred between Chifley Library and Fellows Oval. The women were allegedly stabbed multiple times with a knife and the two men sustained injuries that did not require hospitalisation, she said.
Police were currently analysing vision of the alleged attacks, she said.
Leonard described the police response as “significant” and thanked witnesses and ANU security for their prompt action.
ANU leadership spoke to the media on Tuesday, describing the actions of those who intervened – either to help the injured or keep people from danger – as “the very best of our community”.
The deputy vice-chancellor, Sally Wheeler, praised the immediate response of campus security, police and paramedics “without which this incident might have been even worse”.
“I know that a number of our community stopped to render assistance to those injured yesterday, or stepped [in to] shepherd people away from danger. We will find an appropriate way to acknowledge this in time but, for now, let me thank those people on behalf of the ANU,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler said two of those injured were international students and two were domestic students. The ANU, she said, had beefed up its security presence on campus, despite the isolated nature of the incident.
She reassured students and staff that the campus was a safe place.
“Yesterday was challenging but, please also note this is an isolated and extremely rare event,” she said. “These responders had the situation promptly under control, apprehending the perpetrator quickly and assuring that matters did not deteriorate further.”
The president of the ANU Students’ Association, Ben Yates, described the incident as a “terrifying act of violence”.
“Students need to be able to feel safe on campus,” he said. “For many students, this is also where they live.”
“Many students are upset and angry about the incident yesterday. This is understandable. My message to students is to look after each other and seek support if you need it.”
In a note to staff and residents on Tuesday, the vice-chancellor, Brian Schmidt, described Monday a “very tough day”. He thanked those who stopped to help the injured or warn others of the danger.
“We have two students still in hospital and we are actively offering support to their family and friends. I know we all wish them well,” he said.
“I know a number of members of our community stopped to render assistance to those injured or stepped in to shepherd people away from danger. We will find an appropriate way to acknowledge this in time, but for now I thank those people on behalf of ANU.
“I should again acknowledge the prompt action of our security team and police, without which this might have been even worse.”
Witnesses were asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppers.com.au referencing P2193413.
The matter will return to court on 17 October.
